Jill's the tops in run record-breaker

PUBLISHED: 14:37 05 June 2008 | UPDATED: 21:04 26 October 2009

Jill Cunningham: I did it for my dad

A CHARITY fun run has been declared an official record breaker. The British Heart Foundation's annual Heart First Jog in the grounds of Knebworth House, held in February, raised a never-before total of £33,000. And a Hatfield woman's heart was certainly i

The British Heart Foundation's annual Heart First Jog in the grounds of Knebworth House, held in February, raised a never-before total of £33,000.

And a Hatfield woman's heart was certainly in the right place at the event.

Jill Cunningham, of Mulberry Mead, raised £560 to be named top individual fundraiser.

She said: "It was the first time I had done a sponsored event like this and was so pleased with the amount of sponsorship I received from friends, family and my work colleagues and all the support they gave me.

"I did the event for two reasons. One, it was on my list of things to do before I turned 30 in March and the other main reason was for my dad.

"He was an active and healthy man who unfortunately died of a heart attack aged only 49.

"His charity was always the BHF and I wanted to do this in his memory."

More than 700 joggers turned out on the day to take on one of two routes - 5k or 10k - through Knebworth Park.

Event organiser Adam Brockett said: "It was great to see just how much support we have had for this event over the years, especially when we hear of the personal reasons people are doing the event.

"Jill's story is an all too familiar one and we thank her so much for using our event to remember her dad while raising much-needed funds.